Rev. Chism's Weekly Message

I love yellow mustard on my sandwiches and hamburgers. Just the right balance of mustard and mayo makes a great taste on my sandwiches or my keto-friendly wraps. Add a little sweet relish and you have created a wicked sandwich. When I'm eating a burger I like mustard and ketchup together.

Regular yellow mustard is also cheap. I can get off brands for 79 cents. Every once in a while I'll splurge and get a fancy mustard like Grey Poupon or one that is sweet and spicy. Nathan's makes a good one you can put on your hotdogs.

Hungry?

I love mustard so much we keep Oxyclean Stain Remover and a Clorox 2 Stain Fighter Pen in our laundry room. It seems I have the misfortune of getting a little mustard on my shirts. But it is worth it for that tasty mustard. And definitely don't wear a white shirt if you are going to have mustard.

Some of you out there do not like mustard. It's okay. Your disdain for mustard can never separate you from the love of God. Support your friends who like mustard.

Did you know mustard has pharmacological purposes? If you do a search on Drugs.com you will find out it can be used as for many things. Apparently it can be used as a topical medicine and possibly help with such things like arthritis and rheumatism. There are limited clinical trials that are looking into other uses for mustard. (Disclaimer: I'm not saying the mustard is a miracle drug or promoting it as such. I find this information interesting however.)

Just one mustard seed will create an impressive bush and many together create an awesome harvest. I've never seen a field with mustard bushes in person but I've seen images. It is impressive right before the harvest because of the beautiful yellow flowers. They make a field amazingly full of life. (Sidenote: Many types of mustard plants produce the beautiful yellow flowers. Some do not.)

Jesus referenced a mustard seed in a parable one day. A parable is a story in which we can gain spiritual insights. They speak to people from all walks of life. They challenge you if you are on the right side or wrong side of an issue. If you are sitting on the fence they will challenge you as well.

You can read the parable Jesus was talking about the mustard seed in Matthew 13:31-32.

Jesus compares the seed to the kingdom of heaven. He talks about a man planting one mustard seed which became a tree. Mustard seeds only produce bushes but some varieties look like a tree when they mature. Birds like to perch on trees you know. He brings that up. This impressive bush makes a great statement out in the field.

Our church has committed to support the Tewksbury Food Pantry and Lowell Wish Project. Both missions help provide food to those with food insecurity. Lowell Wish Project helps with clothing, furniture, and other needs for families in various situations as well. Our communities are blessed to have them both and it is a blessing to help.

Compare our community to a field with various shelters of support. They provide a place to inspire people with hope so all can flourish. These missions were planted like a mustard seed in our midst from a dream someone or a group of people had to make our community better. Churches have been planted to support as well.

Jesus said it only takes one seed. It only takes one person to make a difference in their community. Thank you Tewksbury Food Pantry and the Lowell Wish Project. What you do is heavenly.

Thanks to all that planted their seed with the seeds of others. You make a difference in the field where people dream of a better tomorrow.

I Love Mustard,

Rev. Baxter